Thursday, October 14, 2010

Día de los Muertos, Day of the Dead Lesson Plans and Activities

Día de los Muertos is quickly approaching, so I thought I would share some of the many fabulous resources that I have discovered over the years. Because this holiday is so popular, there is a growing number of lesson plans, units, and crafts now available on-line.

Thematic Units:

- By far, one of the best curriculum units has been created by Lori Langer de Ramirez, creator of MisCositas. It is geared for third year (intermediate) Spanish students. This is a comprehensive unit with 63 pages of activities, vocabulary, and more.

• AZCentral.com also has a shorter (31 pages) Teacher Packet with a really great bibliography. The packet is probably better suited for younger children, as it includes more coloring pages, and some simpler activities.

• Lesson Planet has 26 lessons related to Dia de los Muertos that you can scroll through. Each description includes the grade level and a rating. The downside is that you have to create an account, but you can get a free trial period for 10 days.

• Dia de los Muertos ISP This is a VERY detailed and serious lesson plan for second graders. A treasure for teachers searching for a good, meaty lesson.

• MisCositas.com also has a virtual webquest with lots of links and ideas. You may also be interested in her virtual picture book:Mi abuela ya no está: Un cuento acerca de la celebración del Día de los Muertos en México

• Be sure to check out the new children's picture book, Rosita y Conchita, which describes Día de los Muertos with an accurate description of the altar and the ofrenda, as well as the reason for them. Possibly the best children's picture book on this subject.

Printables:

• First! Download your FREE Day of the Dead Activity Calendar• First! Download your FREE Day of the Dead Activity Calendar!• Are you building your own ofrenda this year? Why not download my printable ofrenda labels to help explain the elements on your table to visitors? It even includes free-standing labels to place next to framed photos of loved ones, with space to write their name, relationship, and likes/hobbies.• Check out all of my Day of the Dead printables! From notecards to minibooks to triptych activities, I have you covered!

• Do you have older students? Let them try their hand at creating their own Calavera Poetry.

• Here's an easy way to make your own Calavera Pumpkin!• Don't miss the Crafty Chica'sdirections for creating your own felt Día de los Muertos banner. It is super cute! She also has this video for easy step-by-step instructions on making your own shrine-on-a-stick, as well as ways to modify the craft into other decorative ideas.

• The Calavera Kit comes with a detailed description of the holiday, suggested reading, additional resources, ways to supplement the craft, as well as the painted papier-maché skull, design patterns, and markers that allow children to decorate their own sugar skull.

• Viva Calacas — I found this video on SpanglishBaby.com. It is my favorite so far! Parents and children both will love this short video from art director and designer Ritxi Ostáriz.Other Resources:• Check out MommyMaestra's Pinterest board on Día de los Muertos.